Lillian Winery
California Grenache
Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
93-94
I believe this was the inaugural vintage for Lillian’s Grenache. I am a fan of Maggie’s wines and while I was sadly priced out of Antica Terra years ago, Lillian remains a nice value for this style (central coast Rhône style). Maggie has a unique touch to her wines.
Similar to her Syrah, this Grenache represents a nice middle ground between SQN (bigger, more oak, more ripeness) and cool-climate producers (more acidity, less oak/new oak, more whole cluster, etc). At almost 10yrs, this wine is likely in the zone. Very Grenache. Deep red in the glass. Nose was a bit shy initially but blossomed on day two (violet, dark florals, brambly red and black fruits, green/herb). Great palate…peppered rhubarb spice, fleshy black cherries, stemmy. Nimble on the mid-palate with good acidity but a powerful finish. Kiss of sanguine/iron too (more prevalent with some smoked meat that accompanied it).
Followed over two days. Slightly better the second day where the nose and palate caught up to each other. Wish I had another. Good to go in this profile for a few more years.
93-94
I believe this was the inaugural vintage for Lillian’s Grenache. I am a fan of Maggie’s wines and while I was sadly priced out of Antica Terra years ago, Lillian remains a nice value for this style (central coast Rhône style). Maggie has a unique touch to her wines.
Similar to her Syrah, this Grenache represents a nice middle ground between SQN (bigger, more oak, more ripeness) and cool-climate producers (more acidity, less oak/new oak, more whole cluster, etc). At almost 10yrs, this wine is likely in the zone. Very Grenache. Deep red in the glass. Nose was a bit shy initially but blossomed on day two (violet, dark florals, brambly red and black fruits, green/herb). Great palate…peppered rhubarb spice, fleshy black cherries, stemmy. Nimble on the mid-palate with good acidity but a powerful finish. Kiss of sanguine/iron too (more prevalent with some smoked meat that accompanied it).
Followed over two days. Slightly better the second day where the nose and palate caught up to each other. Wish I had another. Good to go in this profile for a few more years.
This is the very 100% Grenache from Lillian. After each drink the flavors would linger in your mouth what seemed like for minutes. One of the better CA Grenaches I’ve had.
This is the very 100% Grenache from Lillian. After each drink the flavors would linger in your mouth what seemed like for minutes. One of the better CA Grenaches I’ve had.
Nov 10th, 2019
